Photographic developing machine



Aug. 8, 1950 A. LUDWIG PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July 5, 1945 1950 A. LUDWIG 2,518,034

PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 b qfig i 13 x g g I 1 88 29 F gjo J mm w. W

iatented Aug. 8 1956 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHOTOGRAPHIC DEVELOPINGMACHINE Anthony Ludwig, Washington, D. 0.

Application July 5, 1945, Serial No. 603,310

14 Claims.

This invention relates to photographic processing machines andparticularly to those machines wherein a plurality of sensitized objectsare progressively and simultaneously put through several steps todevelop, treat, bleach, dye, fix, wash, dry or otherwise processsensitized material.

In developing machines, it is desirable to have provision for varyingthe time of treatment of the film during one step of the completetreatment while the time or time of other steps may be permitted toremain the same or be also relatively changed. This need is broughtabout by the desirability of using the same developing machine forentirely different processes or for example with developers of difierentspeeds under varying conditions of the trade.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of an improvedphotographic developing machine.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedphotographic developing machine wherein the front and one side of themachine are clear of obstructions to permit full opportunity forinspection and operation of the machine.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of an improvedphotographic developing machine wherein the transfer mechanism isentirely supported at the far side of the machine, thus reducing thispart of the construction to a minimum and thereby reducing costs ofconstruction and maintenance to a minimum.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedphotographic developing machine wherein independent feeding devices formoving the sensitized objects from one end of a tank to another end maybe so adjusted as to vary the time in any one tank, independently of andwithout changing the time of treatment in another tank.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedphotographic developing machine wherein sensitized objects aresuccessively passed through tanks for treatment in the various steps ofthe process and wherein incremental movements are given the objectsbeing treated, the length of the increments of movement between thepoint of deposit in one tank and the point where the object is to belifted from the tank, may be varied without varying the time oftreatment or the length of incremental movements in another tank.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improvedphotographic developing machine wherein there are a plurality of 2 tanksfor carrying out the various steps in the process and wherein a singlemechanism is provided for moving the sensitized objects through therespective tanks, and separate adjustable means for independentlydetermining the time the objects will remain in any particular tank.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of animproved photographic developing machine wherein are a plurality oftanks having a delivery of liquid from one tank to the other.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of animproved photographic developing machine wherein are a plurality ofwater or Washing tanks, one of the tanks having a water level higherthan the water level of the other and having an overflow delivery fromthe higher level to the lower level and in a direction opposed to theprogress of the sensitized objects through the machine.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of animproved photographic machine wherein sensitized objects aresuccessively passed through tanks for treatment in the various steps ofthe process and wherein incremental movements are given the objectsbeing treated, the length of increments of movement between the point ofdeposit in one tank and the point where the object is to be lifted fromthe tank, may be varied without varying the time of treatment or thelength of incremental movements in another tank and having an initialincrement adjusting means and an independent but coacting means forgiving additional readily settable and predetermined increments forincreasing and decreasing the lengths thereof, at will, and returning toanother setting, as desired.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art from a reading of the complete specification.

Referring to the drawing wherein is illustrated a preferred embodimentof the invention.

Fig. 1 is a side view of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a front view.

Fig. 3 is a view of the developing machine from the rear with the dryeromitted.

Fig. 4 is a detail view from the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the feed-control de-' vice shown in theupper left corner of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a front to rear detail view of the feedcontrol device of Fig.5.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged view of the structure shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7but shown in the posh tion as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the power mechanism of the machine.

Figs. 9 and 10 are cross sectional views on the lines 9-9 and Ill-l0 ofFig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a side view of the feed control device which is particularlyuseful in control of the progress through the developer tank.

Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged side view of the feed control device illustratedat the sides of tank 20 ,21! and 20 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a cross section on the lines I l-14 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a rear view of the machine, including the dryer frame.

Fig. 16 is a detail view of the "transfer bar.

In the drawing and throughout the specification, similar referencecharacters refer to the same or similar parts.

"The numeral 2i! designates generally a row of tanks which in theillustrated embodiment is shown as for the usual and well-known methodo'fdeveloping and fixing of sensitized objectssuch as film or dryplates. In Fig. 1, the developer tankisdesignated:as2ll and is the firsttank into which the sensitized objects are placed. 'At the rearof thisdeveloper tank 20 is the acid or short stop tank 20 into which thesensitized objects are' placed-a'fter spending the predetermined time inthe developer tank.

After leaving the tank 20 the sensitized objects are lowered into thehypo tank 20. This tank 20, in practice, performs the greaterpart'of'the fixation step, after which the sensitized objectis'transferred to the tank 2i! which normally, having to do less fixing,contains a fresher hypo solution. Even though the solution in the tank20 is nearly exhausted, the passage throughthe second and fresher hyposolution in tank 20, insures complete fixation.

Still further to the rear of the hypo tank 20 are two water'tanks 20'and 20 These'tanks 20 and 20 have a water passage -connectiontherebetween and in the illustrated embodiment, this-*connection'takesthe formof a cascade from the rear tank 2t to the adjacent forward tank20 In order to provide a head .for the water flow from thetank 20 to thetank 20,the water level of the tank 20 is 'slightlyhigher than that ofthe tank 20 with an overflow spillway between the tanks.

"In carrying out this invention, there are provided two coordinatedmechanisms which, as illustrated, are operated from the same source ofpower. These mechanisms'are '(1) means for transferring the'sensitizedobjects from .onetank to another and to thedryer,and (2) mechanism forfeeding the sensitized objects along .from the position of depositwithin any particular tank or on the dryer to a position where it mayberemoved therefrom and redeposited in the next tank for the next step ofthe process. The feedobjects from one tank to another'will first bedescribed and-for the'purpose of illustrationand example, the ordinaryprocess of developing fixtion. In addition there is provided a roll clip2 l.

These racks which are usually placed in a portable frame "adjacent thedeveloper tank may be prepared in the daylight by removing the film rollfrom the envelop, placing the envelope or otheridentification means inthe clip 2 I and the roll in the clip 2| to which the clip 21corresponds. Witha'fram'e full 'of such racks, and in the developingroom, the operator simply'removes the rolls irom the clips -2 I removesthe film strip from the rolland secures-it ina vertical position atoneend by the clip-2 I A weighted'clip'is secured'to 'thebottom of'thestrip. In this way, the film strip always stays with its envelop 'an'dnonorma'lopportunity for confusion is present.

"Whenthe operatoris readyto start-a film strip rack 2| *onits waythrough the developingma chine, it is placed upon the arms '22, whichare supported by two standards 23 at the front'corners ofthe-developertank'fl Guides 22 guide-the racks'baek-tothes'tops 22againstwhich a rack 2i must restin-"order to be picked up by'thetransfer'mechanism' which will now bedescribed.

In order to have the-transfer mechanism operate efficiently,it-must'bewell supported. "However, at the same time, it is always mostconvenient not to have operating parts in position tointerfere withtheinspection at one side of the tanks. 'To provide for theseadvantagesan'd'to reduce the amount o'f-mechanism, I provide support for'bothsides of the transfer mechanism at one side of the "tanks.

Two columns '24, 25 are provided respectively at 'the front and rear ofthe developing machine and entire same-side'thereof. At the "top ofthese columns are sprocket wheels '26, 21 which support theupperportions of the transfer chains 28 and 29. These chains areoperatively connected together as'willbe presently described. The lowerportions of these chains are supportedby other sprockets suitablymounted on the columns 24, 25. 'These sprocketsand their drive'mechanismwill "be later "described.

Secured to'the chains '28, 29, at corresponding points are the'ends ofan inner supporting transfer rail30. As'the chains28, 29 operate inunison, the rail 30 being attached, is always maintained in a horizontalposition as it is moved bodily by the chains 28, 29. Extending upwardlyfrom the rail30 are'two pairs of uprights 3|. Connecting the upper endsof each pair of uprights 3| are stabilizing strips 32. Passing on theinside of each of the stabilizing strips 32 and on the opposite side oftheinner rail '30, is a slide bar '33; 'I'hese slide' bars 33 aresecured at their 'upperends to the column-connecting member 33 and attheir lower end's'to similarbars also supporte'dby the columns "Hand 25.

Extending transversely of the tanks and secured'to'the uprights -3| arecross frame members 33*whir3h are supported .from' the uprights "3 I bybrackets 33. At'the outer ends of the transverse frame members 33 arebracket members 33 from which depending members 34 carry at their lowerends, the outer transfer rail 35. Diagonal braces 36 are providedbetween tops of the depending members 34 to the bottoms of adjacentdepending members 34. Cross braces 34 are secured between adjacent innermembers 33 to complete the truss construction.

Strap members 3'! connect the upper ends of theupright members 3| withthe depending members 34. Together the parts 3|, 33 and 3'! with theirbraces 34 and 36, provide a cantilever construction for supporting theouter rail 35, through the depending members 34.

It has been noted that the stabilizing strips 32 are on the outside ofthe respective slide bars 33 and the inner transfer bars 33 are on theinside of the same bars 33. From this construction, it is clear thatwith the weight of the cantilever construction overhanging the tanks,the strips 32 and the inner transfer bar 36 will always be against theslide bars 33. As wear plates and to reduce friction there is providedon each inner transfer bar 39, a strip 36 for e ach slide bar 33.

On the inner sides, adjacent the tank edges, of the inner and outerrails 38, 35, are lifting brackets 38. These lifting brackets 38 arespaced apart such a distance that the ends of the rack bars 2| will justrest in the brackets 38 to permit the latter to raise the bars with theattached film strips. In this connection, it is to be noted that thebrackets 38 are so spaced along the inner and outer bars 30, 35, thatwhen the bars 30, 35 are on their upward movement, to be described, eachpair of brackets 38 will be in position to lift one rack bar 2| whichmay be against the stops 22 to place its film strips in the front end ofthe developer tank. Also, the brackets 38 will be in positions to liftthe racks 2| at the rearmost positions of the respective tanks, todeliver the film strips to the next tank for further processing.

The adjacent tank edges are provided with inverted trough members 39having their edges at the tank edges to return dripping solution to therespective tanks as the film strips are lifted from one tank to thenext. Adjacent the front of each of the sides of each tank is a ramp 46in position to receive the rack bar 2| as the latter is deposited by thetransfer brackets 38.

The purpose of this ramp construction is to advance the film rack adistance greater than the feeding mechanism, to be described, wouldnormally advance the strips. This action provides sufficient space forthe film strips of the next deposited rack to enter the tank withoutbeing interferred with by the front edge of the tank into which it isbeing lowered.

At the sides of the tank are main feeder bars 4| which are supported bylinks 42. These links 42 are pivotally connected to the bars 4| at 42*,the lower ends of the links 42 are pivotally mounted at 42 on crankwheels 43*. Secondary or auxiliary feeder bars 43 are mounted above themain feeder bars 4| and are supported above the latter by parallel links44, which are pivoted at their respective ends to the main feeder barsand the secondary feeder bars. The last or rearmost auxiliary feederbars 43 are of slightly different construction, the rear lifting edge43* being higher than the lifting edge 43. These feeder bars 43 by theirlifting edges 43 43 coact with the upper edges of the tanks 2ll and 20respectively.

Brackets 45 limit the movement of the parallel links 44 in a forwarddirection and springs 45 are provided and have their ends secured to thelinks 6 44 and the feeder bars 4|. The brackets are mounted on the bars4| and are provided with a contact button 45 against which the forwardlink 44 of each auxiliary feeder bar 43 rests when held in the forwardposition by the spring 45.

The crank disks 43 revolve in unison in the directions of the arrows andlift the main feeder. bars 4| and lower them by the coaction of the.

links 42. It is to be noted that by the relative positions of the parts,the bars 4| always have a tendency to be thrown to the right, asillustrated in Fig. 1, when they are being raised.

At the rear of each bar 4| and in contact with its end, is a cam 48,mounted on a shaft which rotates in unison with the crank disk 43adjacent thereto. The shafts which support the cam 48 and the crank disk43 carry sprocket wheels of the same size which are caused to rotate inunison by the chain 49.

A spring 53 is provided with one end secured to the tank casing and theother end to the main feeder bar 4|. This spring normally holds the bar4| against the cam 48. It will be observed that the combined action ofthe crank disks 43 with the links 42 and the cam 48 will give the bar 4|a movement toward the right in Fig. 1, when the bar 4| is in its lowerposition and to the left when it is in its upper position.

Since the bars 4| carry the auxiliary bars 43, it follows that thesebars 43, 43 follow the same movement. The upper edges of the aux--iliary bars 43, 43 are of a height such that when in the low position,they will be below the upper edges of their respective tanks and when intheir upper positions these same upper edges of the auxiliary bars 43,43 will be above the upper edges of their corresponding respectivetanks. In this manner when the racks 2| are in position on the tops ofthe respective tanks, they will be continually fed to the rear.

At the rear of the developing and washing tanks is a drying device whichoperates to dry the sensitized surfaces after the washing step. In theillustration, for the sake of clearness, the usual light trap box withits coacting curtains and the well-known infra-red lamps, for drying,have been omitted.

The drying apparatus comprises a frame 50 which is supported by thefloor and has at its top a supporting rail 5| which is here illustratedas a tubular member which extends forward far enough to be in positionto receive the racks 2| as they are delivered to the drying apparatusafter being processed in the tank 20 Mounted to oscillate in the bottomof the frame 50 are shafts 52. These shafts carry at their ends, doublecrank plates 53. These crank plates are arranged in alignment and areconnected by connecting rods 54 so that they move in unison. Forward ofthe crank plates 53 on one side of the frame is a pivoted operatinglever which is pivoted at its lower end to a connecting rod 56 whichlatter is similar in construction to the rods 54 and has its lower endconnected to the same pivot as the forward end of the forward rod 54 onthe crank plate 53. From this it is clear that oscillation of the lever55 will oscillate the crank plates 54. The upper end of the lever 55 ispivotally connected to a rod 56 the other end of which is connected to acrank plate 51 of the shaft I48 which drives the crank plate 43 at therear of the tank 20 7? also mounted on: the shaft. 58 are. sprockets .itcarrying the. chains 6B; which drive sprockets 6.12..

The: short shafts 62-. carry. the sprockets 6i and are pivots-11ymounted in. the. upper end of the. frame 5,6; Also. mounted on and to.-rotate. with each of the. short shafts 62 is a cam 63'. These camsfi 31engage. swinging levers 64: which are. fulcrumed at. 555 on the frame58, for a. purpose to be, presently described;

Pivotally connected to. each of thecrank plates 53; is the lower end ofa lifting rod El. The upper ends of these lifting rods 61 are connectedto. a. feeding bar 58 which is supported in the frame 50. in such. a waythat it. may be: carried. by the lifting rods 61 asthe latter are movedup and down and may slide longitudinally in the; slots 59? at the top ofthe frame 59. See Fig. 6.

- the shaft 58. rotates, the rod 56*, lever 55' and rod 56 will causeoscillation of all of the crank plates 53-. Since the lifting rods 6'!are mounted on the plates 53 at about 90 from the pivots: 54, it.follows that the oscillation of the. plates: 53' will alternately raiseand. lower the lifting rods 61?.

Secured: to and adjacent the top of the lever 64 is: a plate H whichengages a small block 12 on-xthefeeding bar 68.

As the shaft 62 rotates, driving the cam 63, it follows: that thelatter,against the side of the swinging lever 54. will cause the latter to.oscillate and move the upper end of the lever against the block 1.2.This in turn moves the feeding bar 68. longitudinally. A spring 1 :3connected at one end to-theframe 55 and at its other end to the feedingbar 68, tends to force the latter forwardly against the action of thecam 63".

From the above description, it is clear that theoam 63, the lever 6 theblock 12 and the spring- 13., give the feeding bar 88' a longitudinalmovement which is repeated and reversed with each revolution of theshaft 62. It is equally obvious-that the oscillation of the shafts 52with their plates 53 will raise and lower the lifting rods 61 with aresultant raising and lowering of the feeding bars 68. The slots 59* inwhich the bars 63- are mounted, permit the vertical bodily movement ofthe bars 68.

From the combination of the two movements, it is. believed obvious thatthe bars 68 will move forwardly in their low positions below the levelof the rail 51] and will then be raised so that the upper edges of thefeeding bars 68 are above, the level of'the tops of; the, supportingrails i, and further when raised, the cam. 63 and lever 64 will move thebar 68' to the rear to move any racks 21; along toward, the rear beforethe feeding bar Bfli's, again lowered to an inoperative position.

In. the, description of the feeding means to move the racks along thetops of the. tanks and along the supporting rails 5.1 of the dryer,nothing has, thus far been described for varying the distance. moved in.each cycle of movement. of the.

feeding means. In order to. provide a construction. which will. meetthe, conditions of developers of different speed and for differentconditions. and processes, thereis. provided a means for each step, ofthe process for controlling the length of time. of treatment in, that.step. by varying the.- lengthof stepv of the; movement which therebyvaries the. time of treatment. in that step.

To, take care of the varying time of processing in. the; various. steps,I have illustrated three. ofmanv different types-of devices, any one of,which may be used, depending upon the particular 8 problem i301 be met.and the accuracy of time desired.

For example, at. the. left. in. Fig. l and. in Figs. 5-,. 6a and is. atype which. I illustrate with the; dryer frame. The feeding bar (58isprovided; an adjustable block 1'4. The plate. "ill which. supported onthe frame. has angular lever pivotally mounted thereon as at 555 On one;end of: the lever as at. 15? is pivotally: mounted a roller 7.5. This.roller is in position toengage; the. block. i i. and stop it in its.forward movement under influence of the spring 1 3 and also. permit; it.to. be moved up. and down by the rods 52%. Mounted on the lever 15 is; aleaf spring: 15 which is: secured: in place. at one endby rivets 155?.At the outer; end is a knob. 15* which has; on: its end. a pin which.passes through a hole. in the. lever- 5 and is. of sufficient. length toenter one: of: many holes Hie of the plate. Fill. These holes 102; arearranged on the arc of a. circle about. 125 as. a. center. By pullingout on the. button 1 5. and swinging the lever the position of the endof movement of the feeding bar 68 is. determined; since the. block M:when it engages the roller 15 wilt arrest; the. movement. of the feedingbar- .68. And since moving the lower end of the lever ii. to the, rightin Fig. 1,. movesthe. roller 15 to: the left and: thereby shortening themovement. of the; bar 68: in one cycle, such. movement of the lever it;slows. the progress. ofthe drying racks along; the. rails: 5&3,thereby-lengthening the drying proc ess. On the other hand, movingthelower end; of the lever toward the left and securing it. position byan opening w, lengthens the incres ment. of" movement of the racks 2.!and shortens: the time of travel to theirear end of the rails Referringnow to. Figs. 1, 11 and 12, the seg ment: plate 80, is secured to. theside of the frame, as illustrated', in line with theend. of an.auxiliary feeding rail 4'3. The plate is. provided with guides as inwhich is a slide 82. This slide 82- moves alongthe guides. 81!- and is.provided with a slot 82?. A knob 83. is provided with a screw which.passesthrough the slotv 82 and engages; a threaded hole in the segment.plate 80 tightening the screw of the knob. 33, the slide: 32 isprevented from moving in. its guides 8|. Therearward face of the slide32 is in position. to; be engaged by the end of the auxiliary feed bar.:3 An adjusting screw. 86 having a lock-nut issecured in. the end ofthe slide member 82. Five,- otally mounted: on the plate. 80. is a rockcam shaft- 8'6 to. which are. secured a cam 8'1 and an operat ing:handle 82". A locking pin 38 is secured to a spring 83' which spring is.secured in place screws 59 on the handle 88; A- releasing knob. issecured at the end. of the spring '89s and. is:- used tobend the spring89- and withdraw the locking pin from locking engagement. with theholes: 80? in the. plate 80: when. a change in ad-- justment. isdesired.

Asalready stated, if the knob. ii! .is pulled. out; bending the, spring89;. the pin fit will disengage from the hole 8. Then if the operatinghandle is swungabout the axis. of? the shaft 86; the. cam 3;! will presson: the head: of the adjusting screw 8. 3. If: the. screw knob 83 isreleased, the; operating handle 88 may be swung to the desired:adjustment. In order to. secure the desired. close adjustment betweenthose afforded by the op.en.-. ings: it the screw 8!; with itslock nut8.5 is used. After any adjustment is: made, the screw knob 83 is,tightened.

In using either of the forms just described, the; operative has knowledgof which setting screw 91 is threaded in the slide 93. *knob screw 95 isloosened and the knurled head produce the results which he desires. Hethus is able to, at once, change from any speed of advance to any otherdesired speed by a resetting of the control device.

n Fig. 1, Figs. 13 and 14 is illustrated a third -progress controldevice which is especially adapted for use where quick changes in speedprogress *of the sensitized object through any particular -step of theprocess is not essential. In this form,

the plate 92 is secured to the side of the machine.

A slide 93 operates in guides 94 as the slide 82 .similar manner. Abearing 96 is provided on the plate 92 and in this bearing theknurl-headed screw 91 is mounted to turn. A pinned collar 98 holds thescrew 91 in its bearing. The end of. the When the of the screw 91 isturned, the slide 93 is moved back and forth at will and is again lockedin place by the knob screw 95. The end of the slide 93 is in position tobe engaged by the end of the auxiliary feeding bar 43 or 43 and tocontrol the length of stroke of the auxiliary feeding bar.

The principle upon which all three of these control devices operate isthe same. By limiting the movement of the auxiliary feeding bar or thefeeding bar in the case of the dryer illustrated, the length of theincrement of movement in the speed progress of the feeding bar and theracks -2I, moved thereby, is controlled. 1

The power driving mechanism which operates the transfer and feedmechanisms will now be described.

A'motor mu drives a belt IOI which in turn, drives a pulley I02. Thispulley I02 is mounted .on a shaft I03 which drives a worm gear unit I04.The worm gear unit I04 has a short shaft I04 upon which is mounteda gearI05. The gear I05 meshes with a gear. I05 which is mounted .on the shaftI 01. Thisshaft I01 extends from one end of the machine to the other andconnects the gearing which operates the chains 28 and 29,,

which gearing will now be described.

As alreadydescribed, the chains 28 and 29 are supported near the. topsof their respective towers or columns 24 and 25, by the sprockets 26 and21.

These sprockets have outer faces substantially.

parallel with the faces of the columns or towers 24 and 25.

, The lowerportions of the chains 28, .29 are, in the instantillustration, shown as supported by three sprockets-one driver and twoidlers.

some cases obtained in that with the construction illustrated, more timeis consumed between the time of deposit of a. rack andthe timeof,pick-up of the next rack, thus making it possible The bevel gear I I0,drives the sprocket HI,

over which the chain 28 runs and operates the transfer rails 30 asalready described. In addia.

Byhaving such a construction instead of a single lower supportingsprocket an advantage is, in

tion to the sprocket wheel I I I, the lower portion of the chain 28 issupported by the idlers H8, H8, the latter being offset and atsubstantially the same height as the bevel gear H0 and the sprocket III.The idler sprockets H8, H8 are supported in the casing of the column inany suitable manner.

At the rear end of the machine, the bevel gear I09 drives thebevel-sprocket unit H1 having a sprocket H1 and bevel gear teeth Hi".This bevel-sprocket unit II1, the sleeve H8 and the spur ear H9 arebolted together by bolts I20 to form a drive unit journaled on the axlebearing I2I. The axle bearing I2I is secured to a plate I22 which isbolted b the bolts I23 to the housing 25 of the rear column. The chain29 runs on sprocket II! and is driven thereby.

At the lower portion of the column housing 25, the chain 29 is supportedby the driving sprocket H1 and the idler sprockets I24, I25 which aresimilar in construction and function to the idler gears H8 and H8.

The power transfer gearing connection from the column or towers 24, 25to the feeding mechanism will now be described.

Beneath the spur gear II2 of the housing 24 is an idler gear I20 whichis suitably mounted on the housing 24 and to mesh with the spur gear H2and another spur gear I21. This gear I21 is mounted on one end of theshaft I28 which extends through the housing 24 to and across the frontof the tank 20 and has a spur gear I29 in position to engage a similarspur gear I30 which is mounted on the shaft I3I.

A sprocket I32 is connected by a chain. I33 which drives a sprocket I34,This sprocket I34 is mounted On a shaft I35 which carries at its end theforward crank plates 43 already ably mounted within the housing 25,which'idler gear I40 meshes with the spur gear I 4|. The gear MI ismounted on a shaft I42 which carries a spur gear I43 located at the rearof the tank 20 e The spur gear I43 drives a similar spur gear I44 on theshaft I45, in the opposite direction. On the end of the shaft I45 islocated the cam 48 already described. Also On the shaft I45 is thesprocket I46 which drives the chain 49 already described. The chain inturn drives the sprocket I41 on the shaft I48.

This shaft I48 carries at its outer ends the crank plates 43 for drivingthe rear lifting mechanism of the feeding rail. Also on the shaft I48 isthe sprocket I49 which drives the dryer drive chain 59 alreadydescribed.

Having described the construction and operation of the individual partsof the invention, the operation of the machine as a whole will now bedescribed. I

In assembling the parts of the machine, the

, inner transfer rail 30 is attached to its carriers 28 and 29 so thatthe rail is horizontal and in such a manner that both ends will traveltogether under the power operation of the connecting shaft I01.

efsiieeee The ranks are first filled with the appropriate- 'liquid orsolution.

If 'th'e'tiine of treatment or any'particular sensitized surface by the"liquid of -aparticul'ar tank "is known, a test off the timing operatingmech- 'anism of that tank may be made to determine if it .has thecorrect timing. This may he "done by operating the machine and puttingthe rack through the operation with no "sensitized *obj'ect attached.Phe time between deposit above the tank and the pick-up by the brackets"38 having heen found to be too slow ortoo fast, the devices illustrated"in Figs. 5, 6., "7, 1'1, 12, 13 and 14 'are "adjusted as alreadydescribed. This is repeated "for all tanks 'or for the dryer Wherenecessary. In Steps of the process where it is necessary to make a quickchange from one speed through "atank to another speed, one of thedevices illustrated ineither Fig, 7 or 'Fig. 11 wouldhensed.

In *the actual operation of the machine, the rack '2! with thesensitized object attached, "is placed upon the arms 12, being guidedinto place against the steps 2-2, by the guides 22 These latter contactthe two outer clips 2i to center the rack to be in position Tor thep'ick-up'by the brackets 38, of the "rails '31), 35. As the transferassembly laces the "brackets "3'8 beneath the ends the rack 2 I, thelatter is Iifted'high and then lowered to ermit the sensitized surfaceto en- I ter the first tank.

"The feeding rails of the "feeding mechanism now'causes the auxiliaryrails re and ar to move therack 21 along thetolp'of the tank to its rearwhere it is again picked up by the brackets "38 appropriate tothat-tank, and deposited above I the next tank or in the last step onthe dryer rails '5! where it is fed along to the rear of the dryer framewhere it will have been "dried and ready for removal.

While an embodiment of the invent-ion has heen illustrated and described"in detail in connection with one of the usual and Well known processes"for developing "film's, it is to be understood that the disclosure ismerely illustrative and that the sensitized object mayhe on the surfaceof film, glass, paper, wood, china, or "any moving sensitized objectsthrough the so-uti'ons of the tankssuccessively in 'a step-by siepmovement, "selective means for -predeterin-inedlv ad- Testing the lengthof step in the step-'lo'y-step movem 'ent in one tank independently ofthe adjustrnent of the-length the step in thestep-bvstep movement ofsensitized objects in another tank.

' A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks forsuccessively treating sensitized ob'iects, comprising means for eachtank "for progressively feeding -the sensitized objects step' by-stepthrough the tanks when being treated, from one part or a tank to anotherpart, and means for each tank for adjustably -dtermining the length ofthe step of the etepby-st'ep t2 movement of ololects in one tank"independently of the length of the step "or the stepby-ste movement ofobjects in another tank.

3. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks forsuccessively "treating sensitized objects, comprising a mechanism iermoving sensitized objects 'be'in'g treated lay stephy-step movementthrough tanks from end to end successively, and adjustable means forchanging the length of the step "of "the step-by-step movement throughone tank independently of the step of the step-hy-step movement through"another tank.

4. A photographic developing machine having a plurality o'f tanks fortreating solutions, romprising means for moving a sensitized oldiect,when being treated, from one tank to another, a mechanism form'oving'the ohj'ect t' hroug'h a tank when being treated, by an "up,forward, and downward step-by-step movement from one er-id of a-respective tank to the other end "and means for adjustalily"predeterrnining -indiv' iizlually, the length oi the step, "and therebythe time of treatment in any tank relative to the time of treatment' inanother tank.

5. photographic developing machine having a plurality-oi tanks Tortreating solutions, compri'si-ng means for moving sensitized oldiects"from one tank to another when being treated, a mechan'ism for movingaplurality-ofohjects when lacing "treated, by "a step-'hy-step movementthrough each tank, and means for 'ad'justably predetermining the lengthoi movement of -the step "in the step-by-step movement in "one tankindependently -"of the 'lengh of step in another thereby predeterminingthe length of time or "treatment in any tank independently of the lengthof time oi treatment in another tank.

6. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks fortreating solutions, comprising means for 'r'novirrg an 'oHiect whenbeing treated, from one tank to another, means for each tank for movingthe obiect when being treated, :by a step-by-step movement from one endof that tank to its other end and "ad'ius'talile means for, at will,changing "the length of step in the movement in one tank independentlyof and relative to the length of step in "the movement in another :tank.

'7. .A photograph c developing machine having a plurality of tanks 'fortreating solutions, comprising means for each tank for progressivelyfeeding a sensitized object when "being treated, from one part of thetank to another part, a common means adfi'acent the sides of the tanksfor moving the progressive .ieedin'g means of the tanks, means fortransferring the object being treated from one tank to another andadjustable means individual to its tank and including an object-movingmeans carried by the common progressive feeding means forpredeterminedly varying the time of treatment in one tank relative tothe time of treatment in another tank.

8. photographic developing machine having .a plurality of tanks fortreating solutions, room- .prising means adjacent each tank forprogressively feeding an cbject when :being treated, from one part ofthe tank to the opposite part, a common means :i or lifting thesensitized objects fleeing treated, successively, -from-one tank to thenext tank when the 'obie'ct reaches a point ad- 'ja'cent the end of thattank, and means including an object-moving means on the progressivefeeding means for varying the speed-of progress 13 through one tankwithout changing the speed of progress in the other tank.

9. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks fortreating solutions, comprising means for progressively moving an objectbeing treated from one tank to another, and means for causing movementthrough and adjustably predetermining the time of treatment in one tankwithout changing the time of treatment in another tank, saidpredetermining means including a step-by-step movement-causing means foreach tank and a variable position stop for each movement-causing meansto limit the length of each step in the step-by-step movement, therebyvarying the speed of progress through that tank.

10. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks fortreating solutions, comprising means for progressively moving objectsfrom one tank to another when being treated, and from one end of onetank to its other end and including a bar movable in a non variableclosed path and a plurality of feeding elements carried by the bar, eachbeing individual to its tank, and having a variable path, and means forpredeterminedly controllin the variable path of each of the feedingelements to cause its movement into and out of feeding position atvariable times, to vary the speed of progress of the sensitized objectthrough the tank, independently of the feeding of the other feedingelement.

11. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks fortreating solutions, comprising elongated members extending along thesides of the tanks, power means for giving elevational and longitudinalmovement alternately to the elongated members in respective closedpaths, feeding members for the respective tanks and movably supported onthe elongated members and in position to move the objects when carriedto their upper positions by the elongated members, andmovement-controlling means for varying the time of effective operationof the feeding means, thereby controlling the speed of progress andmovement of the sensitized members by the feeding means.

12. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks fortreating solutions, comprising a pair of bars mounted at the sides ofthe tank and extending substantially the combined lengths thereof, meansfor bodily moving the bars in substantially vertical planes whilemaintaining their positions substantially horizontally, individualfeeding members mounted for longitudinal movement on the bars and ofsubstantially the lengths of their respective tanks, the upper portionsbeing slightly higher than and parallel to the tank edges when in theirupper positions, object carriers of a length to be moved by the feedingmembers when moved to their upper positions by the bars, meansindividual to each tank for independently varying the length ofeffective feeding movement of the feeding members and means for bodilylifting and moving the object carriers from one tank to another.

13. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks fortreating solutions, comprising a pair of bars mounted at the sides ofthe tank and extending substantially the combined lengths thereof, meansfor bodily moving the bars in substantially vertical planes whilemaintaining their positions substantially horizontally, individualfeeding members swingingly mounted on the bars and of substantially thelengths of their respective tanks, the upper portions being slightlyhigher than and parallel to the tank edges when in their upperpositions, object carriers of a length to be moved by the feedingmembers when moved to their upper positions by the bars, meansindividual to each tank for independently varying the length ofeffective feeding movement of the feeding members and means for bodilylifting and moving the object carriers from one tank to another.

14. A photographic developing machine having a plurality of tanks fortreating solutions, comprising a pair of bars mounted at the sides ofthe tanks and extending substantially the combined lengths thereof,means for bodily moving the bars in substantially vertical planes whilemaintaining them in horizontal positions, individual feeding membersmounted for longitudinal movement on the bars and of substantially thelengths of their respective tanks, the upper portions being slightlyabove and parallel to the tank edges when in their upper positions,object carriers of a length to extend to positions across the tanks andabove the feeding members of the respective tanks, to be lifted by thefeeding members and moved along the tops of the respective tanks, andmeans individual to each tank for varying the duration of effectivemovement of the feeding members to predetermine the speed of progress ofthe sensitized object through the tank.

ANTHONY LUDWIG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 18,991 Williams Nov. 7, 1933720,708 Latta Feb. 17, 1903 721,839 Schwarz Mar. 3, 1903 1,061,667Gerhard May 13, 1913 1,167,216 Rathsfeld Jan. 4, 1916 1,233,109 NesbitJuly 10, 1917 1,525,363 Boyce Feb. 3, 1925 1,651,454 Hayes Dec. 6, 192'?1,664,735 Capstaif Apr. 3, 1928 1,670,673 Williams May 22, 19281,832,296 Greene et a1 Nov. 1'7, 1931 1,842,890 Williams Jan. 26, 19321,863,689 Dye June 21, 1932 1,974,890 Long Sept. 25, 1934 1,985,554Smith Dec. 25, 1934 2,004,410 I-Iouch et al. June 11, 1935 2,124,106 DyeJuly 19, 1938 2,155,511 Simjian Apr. 25, 1939 2,157,128 Hersberg May 9,1939 2,194,345 Winans Mar. 19, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date354,823 Germany June 15, 1922 284,769 Great Britain Feb. 3, 1928 328,725Great Britain May 8, 1930 694,863 France Sept. 22, 1930 371,089 GreatBritain Apr. 21, 1932 557,956 Germany Sept. 3, 19,32

